The Senate has condemned the arrest and maltreatment of Nigerians by the authorities of the Republic of Benin who allegedly crossed into Nigerian territory to carry out the illegal act.
This condemnation was sequel to a motion of urgent National/Public Importance moved by the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Sen Tolu Odebiyi.
Presenting his ‘Motion on the Urgent Need for the Senate to investigate the continued illegal encroachment into Nigeria’s territory and the illegal arrests of Nigerians by Security officials from the Republic of Benin,” were being humiliated by gendarmes from the Benin Republic.
He specifically mentioned certain residents of Igbokofi Village in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State who were at the receiving end of constant attacks for demanding the reversal of the land encroachment by government of the Republic of Benin.
The lawmaker recalled that reports by certain media organisations in the country attested to the invasion of Nigerian territories.
“Notes that, according to a report by CHANNELS TV station posted on the 2nd of July 2021, it was reported that, “gendarmes” from the Republic of Benin crossed ILLEGALLY into Nigeria territory to carry out the arrest of one Pastor Kunle Garb and Mr Benjamin Amosu, his interpreter, who are residents of Igbokofi Village in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State for demanding the reversal of the land encroachment by Government of the Republic of Benin.
“Notes that the arrest of these Nigerians is based on the allegation that they are resisting encroachment into Nigerian Land through Igbokofi village in Yewa-North local government area of Ogun State.
“Further Notes that these allegations of encroachment have been also flayed by the government of the state as published in a release from the State Government calling on the Federal Government to immediately secure the release of Nigerian citizens currently languishing in detention in the Republic of Benin as a result of their resistance to the continued encroachment.
“Aware that the continuous “unchecked” Egress and Ingress of persons at the different entry points and borders between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin – the country’s closest neighbour, are largely the result of the porosity of our country’s borders.
“Further Aware that the said Pastor Kunle Garb and Mr Benjamin Amosu were allegedly arrested in Nigeria in a gestapo style and shipped to a prison in Ajase, Port Novo area of Benin Republic, without an order of a competent court of jurisdiction in Nigeria.
“Disturbed that this very sad event is in contradiction to the mutually beneficial bilateral relationship that is currently in place between both countries and is a huge deviation from the provisions of Section 6 of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which clearly states the processes in matters of Extradition.
“Further Disturbed, that this action by the Government and agents of the Republic of Benin is capable of causing huge unrest, and can lead to mass action against citizens residing in both countries.
“Concerned that if these actions as allegedly committed by the Government and agents of the Republic of Benin is not urgently investigated and properly looked into, it might degenerate into a diplomatic row between both countries.”
The Senate in its resolutions condemned any act of unlawful encroachment and the unlawful arrest of Nigerians by the authorities of the Republic of Benin.
It also directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and States and Local Governments to interface with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Justice and National Border Commission to urgently put in place the necessary mechanism that would provide lasting solutions to this issue.
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